SUMMARY VOLUME 3 2025
K-BRIQ
WOODEN HOLLOW PROFILES
FLECTOLINE
‘URINE CONCRETE’
FIBER COMPOSITE FROM NATURE: LIVING MATERIAL MADE FROM FUNGI
Innovative Materials Summary volume 3 2025
This is a summary of the most recent edition of Innovative Materials. Would you like to read the entire articles? You will find more information about subscriptions HERE.
Innovative Materials is an interactive, digital magazine about new and/or innovative applied materials in civil engineering sector, construction, architecture and design.
New Vacuum Extrusion Technique Enhances Large-Scale 3D Polymer Printing Performance
Large-Format Additive Manufacturing (LFAM) enables the direct printing of meter-scale structures, making it attractive for aerospace, automotive, and defense sectors. Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have now developed a vacuum extrusion method that significantly improves the quality of such products.
Dissolvable electronics for internal use
Transient electronics can be beneficial for biomedical and environmental applications, such as implantable sensors or medical devices. However, they must safely dissolve in biological environments. Researchers at Binghamton University (New York State) have found a promising solution.
Mushrooms as specific substitutes for plastic and textiles
Researchers at McMaster University have developed a method to cultivate variants of a mushroom species that can serve as custom-made, biodegradable alternatives to textiles, plastics, packaging, and other environmentally harmful materials.
Ukraine to 3D print new structures using war debris
Scientists from Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture (KNUBA) have launched an international reconstruction project that includes 3D printing buildings and structures using debris from the war.
Sponge-like pellets prevent CO2 from entering the atmosphere
Capturing CO2 from industrial processes is essential but challenging for achieving net-zero emissions. Scientists at the University of Nottingham have developed new sponge-like materials capable of capturing the remaining traces of CO2
3D-printed artificial muscles
Researchers at Empa have developed soft actuators that function like artificial muscles and can be produced using 3D printing. These dielectric elastomer actuators (DEA) consist of layers of conductive and insulating silicone materials.
New rubber resistant to tearing
A major drawback of natural rubber is its tendency to tear. Material scientists at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) have created a method that preserves the key properties of natural rubber - such as stretchability and durability - while significantly improving its tear resistance, even after repeated use.
Breakthrough in solar-powered hydrogen production
Researchers from the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) have developed a technology that can stably and efficiently produce hydrogen under natural sunlight. The breakthrough lies in a new method for quickly and effectively fabricating high-quality photoelectrodes.
PFAS-free seals lubricated with water
Researchers at Fraunhofer have achieved a major breakthrough in developing new, sustainable seals: pureWaterSeal. These seals are free from harmful substances like PFAS and are compatible with water-based lubricants.
Stronger wood with nano-iron
American researchers investigated whether adding ultra-hard nanoscale minerals could strengthen the walls of wood cells— without making the wood heavy, expensive, or environmentally damaging. It turns out it can.
Improved smart textiles with new 3D printing technique
Smart wearables - clothing that measures things like heart rate or blood pressure - are gaining traction. While the technology is advanced, washability and comfort remain concerns. Researchers at Washington State University (WSU) have shown that a specific 3D ink printing method ensures smart textiles perform well even after repeated washing and wear
3D-Printed metal molds to speed up U.S. car production
Engineers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have developed a method using 3D printed metal molds to produce composite vehicle components more quickly, cost-effectively, and flexibly for mass production.
Material or robot? It’s a metabot
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a material that can expand, reshape, move, and respond to electromagnetic commands - much like a remotely controlled robot, but without motors or internal gears. The researchers were inspired by the art of origami.
World record for lithium-ion conductors
Solid-state batteries are seen as a key future technology: they store more energy and avoid flammable materials found in current lithium-ion batteries. Researchers at TUM and TUMint. Energy Research have developed a new material made of lithium, antimony, and scandium that conducts lithium ions over 30 percent better than any previously known material.
World’s first fully roll-to-roll printable perovskite solar cell
Swansea University has developed a cost-effective, scalable carbon ink that makes it possible to produce perovskite solar cells affordably and on a large scale for the first time. The special application method, called slot-die coating, allows for a continuous roll-to-roll (R2R) process compatible with underlying layers.
AI detects unique ‘fingerprints’ of 3D printers
A new technology can trace the origin of 3D printed parts down to the specific printer. Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed an AI system that identifies the subtle, invisible marks each printer leaves behind - a kind of manufacturing ‘fingerprint.’
Laser technique for ultra-high-temperature ceramics
U.S. researchers have developed a laser-based method to create ceramics that withstand extreme temperatures. The material is suitable for applications ranging from nuclear energy to aerospace and jet exhaust systems. According to NCSU, the technique is especially promising for ceramic coatings, tiles, and complex 3D structures.
Recycling silver from electronic waste using fatty acids
Researchers at the University of Helsinki have developed a cheap, sustainable, and relatively simple method to recover silver from multi-metal substrates like electronic waste.
K-BRIQ
Scottish company Kenoteq, a spin-off from Heriot-Watt University, has developed a new type of building brick: K-BRIQ. According to the developers, it’s the world’s first brick made almost entirely from recycled construction waste. K-BRIQ was recently certified by the British Board of Agrément (BBA).
Wooden hollow profiles
Hollow, tubular profiles are lightweight, material-efficient, and structurally stable, making them appealing for construction use. Until recently, focus has mainly been on metal and composite versions; wooden hollow profiles have been rare. That appears to be changing.
FlectoLine: Adaptive facade responds to weather for efficient energy use
The FlectoLine shading system allows buildings to actively respond to changing weather. It adjusts in real time to let in or block sunlight and heat, contributing to reduced energy consumption and greater indoor comfort.
‘Urine Concrete’
Researchers from three institutes at the University of Stuttgart are developing a new type of construction material: bioconcrete based on human urine. This is part of the SimBioZe project, which aims to create an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional concrete. SimBioZe stands for Simultaneous Bio-Cement and Fertilizer Production from Wastewater.
Project in the spotlight: next-generation coatings for advanced wear-resistant materials
Wear-Resistant Materials This project tackled the limitations of Zn-based corrosion protection coatings widely used in industry. These coatings often suffer from
Fiber
composite from nature: living material made from fungi
Fungi are increasingly recognized as a promising source of biodegradable materials. Researchers at Swiss materials research institute Empa have developed a new material based on fungal mycelium and its extracellular matrix, giving the biomaterial unique and valuable properties.
Recovering rare earth elements with selective membranes
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin (UTexas) have developed a more efficient and eco-friendly method to recover rare earth elements - crucial materials for products vital to future energy systems, from EV batteries to smartphones.
aipea
International Clay Conference 13 - 18 July 2025, Dublin
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7 - 11 September 2025, Brussels
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17 - 18 September 2025, Den Bosch
Nanotechnology & Materials
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EMO 2025
22 - 26 September 2025, Hannover
PARTEC
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Dutch Building Week 2025 29 September - 3 October 2025
Solids Rotterdam 1 - 2 October 2025, Rotterdam,
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K Messe 2025 8 - 15 October 2025, Düsseldorf
Staalbouwdag 2025 9 October 2025, Leusden
Holz 14 - 18 October 2025, Basel
Dutch Design Week2025 18 - 26 October 2025 Eindhoven
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Ceramics and Composite Materials Oktober 27 - 28, 2025 Londen
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